T h e F i n a l F l i g h t o f A t l a n t i s

On July 8, 2011, my family and I had the pleasure of attending NASA's final launch of the space shuttle program. From the turn-basin at Kennedy Space Center, we watched Atlantis rise above launch pad 39A for her final mission. We were standing a mere 3.4 miles away from pad 39A, we were in awe. (Photo credit: Lucy West)

"3-2-1 -zero and Liftoff!..." ↑

"And liftoff, for the final liftoff of Atlantis!

On the shoulders of the space shuttle, America will continue the dream ..." ↑

"Atlantis roll - Houston." / "Roger roll - Atlantis" ↑

Atlantis roaring and soaring! ↑

Thick exhaust plume hanging in the air after launch.

Astrovan and Closeout Crew van sitting in foreground. ↑

Pad 39A post launch. ↑

Pre launch: NASA chopper with armed protection surveying the area as the